Onrdrej Pavelec's Five-Year Deal Cements Jets Core Players Want To Stay

Pavelec signed a 5-year deal worth $3.9 annually.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)

As TSN 1290's Hustler & Lawless interviewed Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff Monday afternoon mere hours after signing the Jets undisputed number one goalie in Ondrej Pavelec, there was a sense that maybe the Jets have something really good going on here in Winnipeg.

For the Jets, who were seemingly deep in a hole after Pavelec was offered a one-year contract to play in the Kontinental Hockey League at a price tag north of $5 million, they have seemed to rebounded in good timing and locked up their budding goalie.

But once the deal was reportedly off the table from the KHL, it was apparent that both Pavelec and agent Allen Walsh had lost a bargaining chip to help them get a contract with larger dolllar figures.

However, it is Pavelec's reaction to signing the five-year deal that is interesting and very hopeful for both Jets brass and fans.

"That's all I was looking for, to stay in a city you like."

"They have great fans there and I always said I like Winnipeg.  It's behind me now and I'm just looking forward to success in Winnipeg." (Winnipeg Free Press, 06/25/2012)

Coming off a career season, in which he posted a career high in wins with 29, the Jets not only got a slight pay raise at $3.9 million annually, but is looking to ramp up his play and improve his less than stellar 2.91 goals against average and .906 save percentage.

But Pavelec's decision to stick in Winnipeg as the number one goalie must prove a significant point that the Jets seem to be going about matters and dealings with their players in a professional and caring way.

During the days of True North's ownership of the Manitoba Moose, there were certain core players that seemed to stick around year to year, including Jason Jaffray, Mike Keane, Nolan Baumgartner, and now a member of the Jets player development squad Jimmy Roy.

It's no secret that True North, including Mark Chipman, Craig Heisinger, and Kevin Cheveldayoff, continue to breed a culture that makes their players, whether top or bottom of the barrel, welcome in Winnipeg infused with a want to play here.

Pavelec's signing cements the idea that he wants to play in Winnipeg.

Ondrej Pavelec posted a 29-28-9 record in 2011-12.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)

He did not file for arbitration nor outright refuse the contract.

Pavelec wanted to play in Winnipeg and made sure it got done sooner rather than later.

As a core player, his signing is significant because of the other qualifying offers Cheveldayoff has handed out.

As was with Andrew Ladd last summer and now Jim Slater and Ondrej Pavelec this summer, Jets fans and pundits alike will not have to wait long for additional signings to come around, including another core player in Evander Kane.

One thing is for sure, if he signs, see that he will say he wants to stay in Winnipeg.

Game #14: Jets @ Rangers

Sunday night marks the sixth of seven road games during an Eastern trip for the Winnipeg Jets (5-6-2) as they visit Madison Square Gardens and the New York Rangers (6-3-3).

The Jets and Rangers meet for the second time this season - the last meeting a 2-1 win for the Rangers at the MTS Centre on October 24th.

The Jets will likely be without defenseman Mark Stuart again and possibly Randy Jones, but the likelihood of Nik Antropov playing is higher than the other two.

Antropov was a late scratch last night after warmup.

The Jets will still have Brett Festerling, Mark Flood, and Paul Postma on the road trip and all three are ready to go if Stuart and Jones are not able to go.

Tobias Enstrom has officially been placed on the IR.

Ondrej Pavelec will get yet another start on the trip - his 12th of the season.

Game time is 6:00 PM CT and is available on TSN Jets and TSN 1290.


Photo Courtesy of Yahoo! Sports & Getty Images

NHL Syndrome Hitting Winnipeg Jets Hard

It's only been 13 days since our Winnipeg Jets have officially returned as a part of the NHL.

After a 5-1 home opening loss to the Montreal Canadiens, few fans could care about an 0-1 record to start the season.

Heck, half the league's teams start off that way anyways.

Then came a close 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and their backup goalie 4-3 during their first road game.

Whatever, first road game is always the toughest - playing in front of the other team's crowd for the first time in a season, nerves probably got the better of them.

One more loss on the road for good measure - 4-1 in Phoenix to the ex-Jets (a game they were never a part of really) - and then there started popping out of the woodwork panic buttons.

Wait a minute, Pittsburgh is coming to town sans Crosby et Malkin - we've got this.

Jets win first game, at home no less, 2-1.

OK, well don't we look stupid with our panic buttons and such, we're good, here comes the wins.

Then back to the road - up 3-1 in Toronto - down 4-3 in Toronto.

And then way down 4-1 in Ottawa.

Don't even dare grab a panic button.

Sunday will mark the first two weeks of Winnipeg being back in the bigs - the NHL.

Understandably, Winnipeg sports fans, hockey fans, and Jets fans are hungry to see a winning team.

And they want to have one right now.

But you'll just have to stow away any high and lofty expectations for now because the Jets are not anywhere near the talent level of a Chicago or a Pittsburgh yet.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff continues to advise patience to Jets fans and the media.

Speaking with TSN 1290, Cheveldayoff put it very bluntly saying: "This isn't fantasy hockey. You can't call up your buddy and say, 'Hey, this will be fun, let's do it.' Every move that you make has both short-term and long-term ramifications that will have a ripple effect throughout the organization, not only for the now, but for the future."

"Just to think that you pack up your bags and move a couple thousand miles north into a hockey-crazy market is going to turn a team from a (seventh-last) place finisher into an automatic contender - it doesn't just work that way."

Add to the hockey mad mix the demands and expectations of seventh overall pick Mark Scheifele to follow in the footsteps of ex-Jet great and his own former OHL coach in Barrie Dale Hawerchuk and the pot may begin to boil over.

True North and their executive team have made an informed and critical decision when it comes to the aspects of Winnipeg and its Jets being back in the NHL.

Patience is key.

"If you look at the organization, it has some good young pieces. Ask anyone and I think they'll agree, after six games they've seen some good things out of some young players. But they've seen some inconsistencies out of some young players and some veteran players as well." Cheveldayoff added.

Despite the conjectures, hopes, and demands of fans, Cheveldayoff added: "I love the fact that the fans think that and hope that, and I hope they never lose the passion for that because that's what drives everything."

So sure we have one of the most rabid and informed fan bases in the sport as well as one of the best management and ownership groups in the league.

My advice to fans at this juncture is to be passionate and be vocal about how great the Jets are and what they mean to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Canada.

But remember, be patient and this team could be a contender two to three years down the road.

Patience Jets fans.

Patience.

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